Divers lead way to island paradise before crowds arrive

The spirit of adventure which drives divers to search for remote oceans and unexplored reefs explains why they’re often responsible for discovering new exotic destinations.

Turtles at Constance Tsarabanjina, Madagascar

When Italian travel operator George Corbin first visited the Maldives as a passenger on a cargo ship from Sri Lanka in 1971, he instantly teamed up with a group of enterprising Maldivians to develop the islands for tourism.

According to Corbin the first group of 22 tourists to visit Maldives in 1972 spent most of their time underwater marvelling at the pristine coral reefs.

Spread the word

Word spread and despite the inaccessibility and less than salubrious accommodation at the time, the beauty of the islands and the underwater marvels meant that divers and snorkelers continued to come to the Maldives and tourism grew steadily over the decades.

Today, divers looking for unexplored waters are still searching for the remote areas where tourism has yet to fully take hold.

Intrepid explorers

Manta Rays at Constance Moofushi, Maldives

One area attracting the more intrepid divers today are the remote islands around Madagascar like Nosy Be off the northwest coast and the small private island of Tsarabanjina.

The laidback, traveller vibe is reflected in the atmosphere of Constance Tsarabanjina with a handful of palm-thatched villas nestled in the shade along the island’s two unspoilt beaches and shoes, once kicked off, are unlikely to be worn again for the remainder of your stay.